Breast Cancer Awareness

October 17, 2013

Breast Cancer Awareness month is October. The pink ribbon has become the symbol for breast cancer awareness and the hope for finding a cure. Awareness means knowledge. Knowledge is the key to diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and most importantly, finding a cure. Women and men alike are susceptible to this monster that claims thousands of lives each year. Early diagnosis and treatment are ones’ best defense against becoming another such statistic.

My cousin’s grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2004. She was diagnosed early and was treated with chemo. She is a survivor to this day. My maternal great grandmother was also diagnosed with early breast cancer and survived. It is reported that there are more than 2 million breast cancer survivors in the United States. Now that awareness for this disease has become a forerunner in the media, sports events, and even clothing industry, the population as a whole has jumped on the band wagon.

Statistics for diagnosis of breast cancer each year is in the two-three hundred thousand people range. Most are diagnosed with an invasive type versus a non-invasive type. Breast cancer is the second leading type of cancer that kills women. It is second only to lung cancer. There are several different types of breast cancer and some are quite rare.

Early detection and frequent screening are the two major components in the fight against this and all types of cancer. Learning the signs and symptoms is also key. Knowing your body and seeking professional attention when signs, no matter how small, is always the smart thing to do.